SHENANDOAH — The Shenandoah Valley school board selected Kevin Bolinsky to be head football coach for the 2015-2016 season during Wednesday’s regular meeting.
Bolinsky will replace Randy Maksimik, who resigned late last year after two seasons as the Blue Devils’ skipper.
The first order of business by the school board was to accept Maksimik’s resignation, effective immediately, with a 9-0 vote.
After retroactively approving the advertisement of the opening in the coach position, board President William Grutza asked for a motion and second on a candidate for the position. Margaret Shustack motioned to hire Bolinsky, seconded by Karen Kayes.
The vote was 8-1 in favor of Bolinsky. Voting in favor were Shustack, Kayes, Grutza, Daniel Salvadore, Joseph Buchanan, Joseph Alshefski, Helene Creasy and Thomas Twardzik. Voting against was Richard Zimmerman.
During the first public portion of the meeting, district resident James Burke recommended to the board to select Rick Geist, former head football coach at North Schuylkill. The board acknowledged Burke’s comments. During the voting, only Bolinsky’s name was raised and there was no information on whether Geist had applied for the position.
Maksimik tendered his resignation as head coach in late November, explaining that it was time to take a break after coaching for 14 years in order to spend time with his children and family. Maksimik, 35, told The Republican-Herald in early December that he would help the football program as requested.
After the meeting, district Superintendent Dr. Stanley G. Rakowsky explained that a committee comprised of Secondary Principal Phillip Andras and athletic directors Jeff Maksimik and John Brennan reviewed the applications and did interviews. The committee recommended Bolinsky for the position.
“Kevin Bolinsky has been assistant coach for the past two years,” Rakowsky said. “He’s a graduate of North Schuylkill, played football at Kutztown University.”